North Carolina is celebrated for its stunning mountains, historic towns, and picturesque coastal communities, but not every small town offers the sense of safety you might expect. Across the state, there are places where burglary rates are alarmingly high, and where the risk of a break-in is part of everyday life. In many of these towns, long-standing economic struggles, high vacancy rates, or steady tourist traffic create opportunities for property crimes to thrive.
This list counts down the 27 small towns in North Carolina with the highest burglary risk, based on recent state and federal crime data. From former mill towns to rural county seats, these communities face a mix of challenges that push burglary rates far above the state average.
27. Hendersonville
Nestled in the Blue Ridge foothills, Hendersonville is better known for its apple orchards and mountain charm than for its property crime. Yet residents face burglary rates of 380 per 100,000, noticeably higher than most mountain towns. Much of the problem stems from a mix of tourist traffic and residential growth, which can strain local policing resources.
26. Waynesville
Waynesville’s walkable downtown and proximity to Great Smoky Mountains National Park make it a regional favorite for visitors. Unfortunately, its burglary rate sits at 430 per 100,000, with seasonal tourism attracting opportunistic offenders targeting both businesses and homes.
25. Oxford
The county seat of Granville County, Oxford blends historic charm with higher-than-average property crime. Burglary is a persistent issue here, with rates of 900 per 100,000 and incidents affecting both homes and small businesses.
24. Mount Airy
Known as the inspiration for Mayberry, Mount Airy is a tourist draw. Yet beneath the nostalgic image, burglary rates reach 800 per 100,000. Visitor traffic brings economic benefits but also opportunities for crime, especially in residential areas just outside the main tourism zones.
23. Smithfield
Smithfield’s location along I-95 brings steady commercial activity, but also exposes it to transient crime. The town’s burglary rate of 950 per 100,000 impacts both commercial zones and residential neighborhoods.
22. Lexington
Once a major hub for the furniture industry, Lexington has struggled with economic transition. Burglary rates here are 980 per 100,000, with vacant properties and underused commercial buildings creating easy targets.
21. Selma
Just down the road from Smithfield, Selma faces many of the same challenges. With burglary rates of 1,000 per 100,000, older housing stock and modest police resources make prevention difficult.
20. Dunn
Another I-95 community, Dunn’s burglary rate is 1,050 per 100,000, affecting both neighborhoods and small businesses. The mix includes crimes of opportunity and targeted break-ins.
19. Ahoskie
Ahoskie, in Hertford County, has burglary rates of 1,100 per 100,000, far exceeding the state average. In a small community like this, each incident has an outsized impact on residents’ sense of security. Economic challenges add to the difficulty of lowering crime rates.
18. Elizabeth City
As a coastal gateway, Elizabeth City blends small-town life with steady port activity. Its burglary rate is 1,150 per 100,000, with incidents affecting homes, shops, and storage facilities.
17. Reidsville
Reidsville’s burglary rate is 1,200 per 100,000, a persistent concern for local law enforcement. Economic changes and shifts in industry have left sections of the town with fewer resources.
16. Asheboro
Best known for the North Carolina Zoo, Asheboro also has a burglary rate of 1,300 per 100,000. Both residential neighborhoods and small businesses are frequent targets.
15. Statesville
Travis K. Witt, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Statesville’s position at the crossroads of two major interstates has benefits for commerce but also attracts property crime. Burglary occurs at a rate of 1,400 per 100,000, and quick highway access can make it easier for offenders to leave the area.
14. Monroe
The seat of Union County, Monroe has seen steady growth, but burglary remains a concern. The rate stands at 1,450 per 100,000, affecting older neighborhoods and new subdivisions alike.
13. Thomasville
Thomasville’s manufacturing roots run deep, but like other towns in transition, it contends with a burglary rate of 1,500 per 100,000. Empty industrial buildings and shifting neighborhood dynamics contribute to the problem.
12. Salisbury
Salisbury has a vibrant downtown and rich history, but its burglary rate is 1,600 per 100,000, impacting both residential areas and the small business community.
11. Washington
This Beaufort County town sits along the Pamlico River, drawing boaters and tourists. Burglary occurs here at a rate of 1,700 per 100,000, with incidents scattered across residential blocks and commercial areas.
10. Tarboro
A historic town in Edgecombe County, Tarboro’s burglary rate is 1,750 per 100,000, with older neighborhoods often targeted.
9. Williamston
In Martin County, Williamston faces a burglary rate of 1,800 per 100,000, affecting both homes and small businesses.
8. Roanoke Rapids
Roanoke Rapids posts some of the highest property crime rates in North Carolina, with burglary alone at 2,000 per 100,000. Its location near major highways may make it easier for offenders to operate and leave quickly.
7. Kinston
Kinston’s burglary rate is 2,100 per 100,000, affecting a wide mix of neighborhoods. Economic factors play a role in sustaining these elevated rates.
6. Henderson
Henderson has one of the highest burglary rates in the state at 2,300 per 100,000. Residents face significant risk of break-ins, and the town has implemented targeted policing efforts to address it.
5. Goldsboro
Goldsboro’s burglary rate is 2,400 per 100,000, affecting residential neighborhoods and commercial areas alike.
4. Whiteville
Whiteville’s burglary rate is 2,500 per 100,000, among the highest for any small town in the state. Both occupied and vacant properties are targeted.
3. Shallotte
Shallotte and nearby beach communities face burglary rates between 2,600 and 2,800 per 100,000, driven by tourism and seasonal vacancies.
2. Lumberton
Lumberton’s burglary rate is 3,200 per 100,000, impacting homes, small businesses, and public facilities. It has long held one of the highest property crime rates in North Carolina.
1. Laurinburg–Whiteville–Roanoke Rapids Axis
This eastern North Carolina corridor contains several towns with extreme burglary rates, ranging from 2,200 to 3,200 per 100,000. These rates place the region among the most burglary-impacted in the state.
References
- Hendersonville, NC Crime – NeighborhoodScout
- Waynesville, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Shallotte, NC Crime – NeighborhoodScout
- Ahoskie, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Oxford, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Mount Airy, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Smithfield, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Selma, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Dunn, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Lexington, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Elizabeth City, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Reidsville, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Asheboro, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Statesville, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Monroe, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Thomasville, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Salisbury, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Washington, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Tarboro, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Williamston, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Roanoke Rapids, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Kinston, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Laurinburg, NC Crime – AreaVibes
- Henderson, NC Crime – NeighborhoodScout
- Goldsboro, NC Crime – Reolink
- Whiteville, NC Crime – NeighborhoodScout
- Lumberton, NC Crime – NeighborhoodScout
